Providing Piping Solutions Since 1971
Emergency Services
Published July 16, 2025
At Piping Systems, we talk a lot about service—whether it’s making sure our clients are up to code on fire protection or keeping their mechanical systems running smoothly. But sometimes, service means something much bigger. It means showing up in the middle of a crisis, standing beside a grieving community, and doing what you can to help put the pieces back together.
That’s exactly what our Director of Administration, Sharron Furtado, is doing right now.
Many of you may have seen the tragic news out of Fall River this week: a catastrophic fire broke out Sunday night at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility, home to 70 elderly residents. As of this writing, 9 lives have been lost, dozens more are hospitalized—some in critical condition—and every single resident has been displaced. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Sharron didn’t just hear about the fire—she leapt into action.
What many of our clients and partners may not know is that, in addition to her director role here at PSI, Sharron is also the founder of a nonprofit called Firefighters Wives. She started the organization back in 2012, after another devastating fire exposed how many families fall through the cracks once the initial emergency response is over. Her nonprofit steps in to help with everything from housing to clothing to the everyday essentials people lose in a fire.
So when word spread about the Gabriel House tragedy, Sharron didn’t wait. Within hours, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the victims and their families. Just 48 hours later, the fundraiser has brought in more than $37,000. One incredibly generous individual even donated $10,000.
“This isn’t just about money,” Sharron said. “It’s about giving people a way forward when everything they had has been taken from them.”
We couldn’t be more proud of her.
While Gabriel House wasn’t one of our fire protection clients, this tragedy underscores something we know all too well: preparedness matters. While the building’s sprinkler system did activate, what happened after that tells a bigger story—one about staffing shortages, limited funding for firefighting services, and the real cost of seconds lost in an emergency.
“There weren’t enough firefighters to get residents out fast enough,” she said. “When they arrived, they had to call in help from off-duty responders. Some showed up without gear, without proper PPE, and still ran into the building. That’s the kind of community Fall River is—but it shouldn’t have come to that.”
Here at PSI, we work with many facilities like Gabriel House. We install and maintain fire suppression systems, we handle emergency inspections, and we make sure our clients meet the standards that can prevent tragedies like this. We’ve always believed that fire protection is more than a checkbox—it’s life preserving and it’s peace of mind.
But even the best system can’t do it all on its own. It takes funding, people, and proactive planning. If there’s one thing we hope other facility managers and building owners take away from this, it’s that investing in prevention is never wasted.
At PSI, “going above and beyond” is a core value. But what Sharron is doing right now? That’s on another level. She’s not just answering phone calls, calculating payroll, and managing her team. She’s coordinating with the Mayor’s Office, the Red Cross, and Emergency Management to make sure the funds raised go directly to the families who need them. Some of that money will help with funeral costs. Some will help the elderly residents who lost their medications, mobility equipment, or even the clothes on their backs. Every dollar is a step toward recovery.
We also want to recognize the incredible efforts of Rick Aguiar and the team at Fall River Emergency Management. They were on the scene all night—Rick, his wife, and a small group of dedicated volunteers—making sure every displaced resident had a warm place to go, access to medication, and the emotional support needed in those early chaotic hours. They didn’t sleep. They just worked. And they’re still working.
Firefighters Wives also supports Rick’s team and their work during times of disaster. Their ability to mobilize, stay calm under pressure, and care deeply for the people of Fall River is nothing short of heroic. We’re honored to stand beside them in this response and beyond.
And, then, even when the initial emergency is contained, their work isn’t done. “There’s no cutoff date for helping,” Sharron said. “Some of these people will need help for months. That’s what Firefighters Wives is here for.” We’re backing her 100%.
We’re asking our network—our clients, partners, vendors, friends, and fellow community members—to stand with Sharron and the people of Fall River. Here are 3 ways to help:
We applaud Sharron’s passion, yet we know this is about a whole community rising to meet a tragedy together. And it’s about making sure that the next time—because sadly, there’s always a next time—we’re better prepared.
From everyone here at PSI, thank you, Sharron. Thank you for demonstrating what leadership in action looks like.
